When Should Elderly Parents Stop Driving?

We’ve all heard stories about elderly drivers getting into car crashes after they accidently hit the accelerator instead of the breaks. About 4 months ago in Las Vegas an 82-year-old driver, traveling the wrong way, hit and killed a motorcyclist on U.S. 95 near Decatur. Police said the driver, who was killed in the crash, may have been confused by the on-ramps.

But when should people stop driving? When should you take your parent’s keys and how do you tell them? Well, ABC News has done a very interesting story on the subject. The Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons recommends talking to your parent or loved one way before their driving becomes an issue.

What do you think? Is there a magic number when people should stop driving? Below are some warning signs from AARP that your loved one’s driving could already be a problem.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

AARP’s 10 Major Warning Signs
Almost getting into accidents, with frequent “close calls.”
Finding dents and scrapes on the car, or on your parents’ property, such as fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs, etc.
Getting lost.
Difficulty seeing or following traffic signals, road signs and pavement markings.
Delayed response time to unexpected situations on the road, difficulty moving their feet from the gas pedal to the brake pedal or confusing the two.
Misjudging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance and exit ramps.
Experiencing road rage or having other drivers frequently honk at them.
Easily becoming distracted or having difficulty concentrating while driving.
Difficulty turning around to check over their shoulder while backing up or changing lanes.
Receiving multiple traffic tickets or “warnings” from traffic or law enforcement officers.

Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: Aiding Elderly Drivers
When Is It Time for Aging Parents to Hang Up the Car Keys?

By LAURA ZACCARO and KATIE ESCHERICH

Driving is a milestone of freedom in our teen years, but it can become a safety concern when we’re older.

In the first installment of “Good Morning America’s” series on tackling tough topics with aging parents called “Mom and Dad, We Need To Talk,” “GMA” family and life contributor Lee Woodruff looks at the complicated issue of elder driving.

Find this article at: ABC News GMA

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